1. Arteriosclerosis

2. What is it? Hardening of arteries Artery become less elastic
Blood flow is restricted to tissue and organs
Atherosclerosis is the build up of plaque along the arterial walls

3. How do you get it? High cholesterol High blood fats (triglycerides)
Smoking/tobacco products
Insulin resistance due to Obesity and diabetes
High blood pressure
Poor diet and lack of exercise
Inflammatory diseases

4. Signs/Symptoms
Usually, you will not notice any symptoms 70% of your artery is clogged at certain points. Different signs will occur if it is at different places.
If it is near the heart, you can have chest pains, a heart attack, or heart palpitations.
If it is near the brain, facial drooping, weakness, slurred speech due to strokes.
If in the kidneys, you have high blood pressure and/or kidney failure
Typically, you will experience pain and cramps in the main body part where the clog is.

5. How to prevent atherosclerosis
You can prevent it by having healthy lifestyle choices.
High Cholesterol-eat diet low in saturated fats
Type I diabetes-Eat healthy, and exercise often.
High blood pressure-Reduce salt intake, and maintain healthy weight.
Physical Inactivity- Exercise at least 30 minutes/day.
Obesity- Eat healthy foods and exercise often.
Don’t smoke

6. Treatments Cholesterol Medications Anti Platelet Medications
Lower “bad” cholesterol levels, and higher “good” cholesterol levels.
Anti Platelet Medications
Aspirins that can reduce chance of platelets clogging arteries.
Beta Blocker Medications
Lower heart rate and blood pressure which causes less demand on heart.
Water Pills
Lowers blood pressure and causes blood to “thin out” to pass through artery easier.
Bypass Surgery
May create artificial artery, or put two different arteries together so they won’t pass through the clogged artery.
Endarterectomy
Remove fatty deposits in artery surgically.

7. Is Atherosclerosis hereditary?
Not necessarily…
Disease itself is not hereditary
Other health risks can cause it to occur.
Family History of Early Heart Disease
High blood pressure
High Cholesterol

8. Facts Approximately 4.6 million people are affected by it.
Foods/herbs that can lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels
Black tea, calcium, fish oil, oatmeal and whole oats, barley, vitamin C

9. Review What can arteriosclerosis lead to?
Heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, kidney failure
How is arteriosclerosis hereditary?
Other health risks like high cholesterol, high blood pressure or family history of heart disease
List two preventions for arteriosclerosis.
Healthy diet low in saturated fats, high in fruits, veggies and whole grains, low sodium diet, exercise, maintain a healthy weight
Why would someone have pain with arteriosclerosis?
Reduce blood flow to an area that can cause cramping
What type of diet should someone eat to reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis?
Low saturated fat, rich in whole grains, Omega 3s and fiber, high in veggies and fruits, Vitamin C, beta carotene, lycopene

10. Works Cited
Mayo Clinic Staff. "Arteriosclerosis / Atherosclerosis." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 10 Aug Web. 18 Apr < sclerosis-atherosclerosis/DS00525>.
Merck Manual of Medical Information. Second ed. West Point: Merck, Print.

11. Are there any side effects?
Cholesterol Medications
Stomach upset, gas, cramping, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, headache, and mild muscle pain.
Beta Blocker Medications
Fatigue, cold hands, headache, upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea, and dizziness.
Water Pills
Dizziness, headaches, increased thirst, muscle cramps, increased blood sugar, and increased cholesterol.
Bypass Surgery
Excessive bleeding, infection, blood clots, lung or breathing problems, and death (rare).
Endarterectomy
Bleeding, infection, blood clots, brain damage, and stroke or heart attack.
Anti Platelet Medications
Dizziness, headache, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, fever, chills, sore throat, swelling, and severe stomach pain.